(Cat? OR feline) AND NOT dog?
Cat? W/5 behavior
(Cat? OR feline) AND traits
Cat AND charact*

This guide provides a more detailed description of the syntax that is supported along with examples.

This search box also supports the look-up of an IP.com Digital Signature (also referred to as Fingerprint); enter the 72-, 48-, or 32-character code to retrieve details of the associated file or submission.

Concept Search - What can I type?

For a concept search, you can enter phrases, sentences, or full paragraphs in English. For example, copy and paste the abstract of a patent application or paragraphs from an article.

Concept search eliminates the need for complex Boolean syntax to inform retrieval. Our Semantic Gist engine uses advanced cognitive semantic analysis to extract the meaning of data. This reduces the chances of missing valuable information, that may result from traditional keyword searching.

Publishing Venue

Related People

Abstract

In a manufacturing environment, RFID technology can be used to improve the process of making changes in equipment and materials for a grade change or other change in operation. Such changes are typically made according to a predetermined “recipe” that identifies the various hardware settings and raw materials that are needed for a new grade or product to be made. To help ensure compliance with the recipe and to guide operators in making the proper changes in settings or selection of materials and equipment, an RFID system can be used that includes RFID tags associated with hardware units and raw materials, RFID readers used by operators, and a software system linked to the RFID readers that identifies what changes need to be made for the materials or equipment associated with a particular tag. The system can verify that the changes have been made and assist operators in identifying and completing the tasks needed to complete a change in manufacturing.

Copyright

Country

Language

This is the abbreviated version, containing approximately
34% of the total text.

Page 1 of 3

RFID-Assisted Grade Changes in a Factory

Gu Lou, Dick Wolkowicz, and Jeff Lindsay

Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Neenah, Wisconsin

Abstract

In a manufacturing environment, RFID technology can be used to improve the process of
making changes in equipment and materials for a grade change or other change in operation.
Such changes are typically made according to a predetermined "recipe" that identifies the
various hardware settings and raw materials that are needed for a new grade or product to be
made. To help ensure compliance with the recipe and to guide operators in making the proper
changes in settings or selection of materials and equipment, an RFID system can be used that
includes RFID tags associated with hardware units and raw materials, RFID readers used by
operators, and a software system linked to the RFID readers that identifies what changes need
to be made for the materials or equipment associated with a particular tag. The system can
verify that the changes have been made and assist operators in identifying and completing the
tasks needed to complete a change in manufacturing.

Introduction

In a manufacturing facility such as a paper mill, food packing unit, or assembly line, changes in
grade can require many manual adjustments of valves, regulators, feed lines, power supplies,
and other devices. Entire modules of equipment may need to be replaced, and different raw
materials may need to be selected. The changes may be listed in a "recipe" that can include the
bill of materials for the grade and the various process settings and equipment selections
needed. Experienced operators may be able to make these changes accurately in most cases,
but less experienced personnel may be prone to mistakes or may require more time and
assistance to make the needed changes. What is needed is an improved system to help
operators find and adjust the appropriate devices for a grade change.

We propose an electronic grade change guide employing RFID (radiofrequency identification)
technology. In this system, RFID chips are attached to units of equipment or other devices that
may require manual attention for the grade change. Each chip has a unique electronic product
code (EPC) or other identifier that is listed in a database of devices for the manufacturing
facility. Each identifying code in the database is associated with location information, optionally
including maps, directions, and photos that can show an operator how to find the device. Each
grade made at the plant is associated with a recipe of materials and device settings in an
operations database that indicates what the settings should be for each device in the device
database. When a grade change is made, current device settings are electronically compared to
the device settings needed for the new grade and devices in need of manual change are
identified. A list is then automatically generated showing the devices that need changes, the
new set points required, and the locations of t...